It is not "personal definition". And I have shared it… just follow the link I posted earlier.
I admit, my central point was perhaps too subtle. I'll state it plainly: you are factually incorrect about what REST requires.
Please educate me (and everyone else reading). What is incorrect?
Everyone in this thread needs to up the civility and charity a couple notches. I think what's at heart here is a disagreement about what exactly is required by HATEOAS. I'd like to hear people expand on that.